Literacy Terms A-F

Question 0

Alliteration

Answer 0

The repetition of sounds, especially initial constant sounds in two or more neighboring words ( e.g. ‘’ she sells sea shells)

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

Device of using character and/ or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction….addition to the literal meaning

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

A direct or indirect reference to something which is commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art

Question 3

Ambiguity

Answer 3

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage

Question 4

Analogy

Answer 4

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them

Question 5

Antecedent

Answer 5

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Question 6

Aphorism

Answer 6

A tense statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral purpose

Question 7

Apostrophe

Answer 7

A figure of speech that directly addresses on absent or imaginary person or a personified/ abstraction, such as liberty or love

Question 8

Atmosphere

Answer 8

The emotional mood created by the event entirely of a literary work, established partly by the setting

Question 9

Clause

Answer 9

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb

Question 10

Colloquial

Answer 10

The use of slang or information in speech or writing

Question 11

Conceit

Answer 11

Fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects

Question 12

Connotation

Answer 12

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning

Question 13

Denotation

Answer 13

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color

Question 14

Diction

Answer 14

Referring to style, diction refers to the writers word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

Question 15

Diatic

Answer 15

From the Greek, literally means “teaching”

Question 16

Euphemism

Answer 16

From the Greek for “ good speech” a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

Question 17

Extended metaphor

Answer 17

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in throughout a work

Question 18

Figurative

Answer 18

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literacy meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivd

Question 19

Figure of speech

Answer 19

A device used to produce figurative language

Question 20

Polyndeton

Answer 20

Is a stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect. Polysyndeton examples are found in literature and in day-to-day conversations Ex: “let the white folks have their money and power and segreation and sarcasm and big houses and schools and lawns like carpets, and books, and mostly-mostly-let them have their whiteness

Question 21

Asyndeton

Answer 21

Is derived from a Greek word asyndeton with means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. asyndeton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words. Ex:” This is a villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely

Question 22

Epistrophe

Answer 22

Is derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of sentence. Ex: Hourly joys be still upon you! juno sings her blessings on you… Scarcity and want shall shun you,
Ceres’ blessing is on you

Question 23

Anaphora

Answer 23

Is the opposite of apostrophe and means the repetition of the same phrase or word at the beginning of successive sentences such as in this example:
Five years have passed;
Five summers, with length of
five long winters! and again i hear these waters…

Question 24

Anecdote

Answer 24

Is a short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners laugh. Anecdotes can include and extensive range of tales and stories. In fact, it is a short description or an account of any event that makes the readers laugh or brood over the topic presented for the purpose

Question 25

Analogy

Answer 25

Is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quiet different form it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and smilies are tools used to draw and analogy. Therefore, analogy is more extensive and elaborate that either a simile or metaphor. Consider is the following example: “structure of an atom is like a solar system. Nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets revolving their sun.”

Question 26

Antithesis

Answer 26

Literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. Antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structures of the contracted phrases or clauses, I.e the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers. For example: “setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.”